Today Koos Richelle, Director-General of EuropeAid
Co-operation Office, will sign on behalf of the European Commission the first
contribution agreements of the Food Facility with three UN implementing
partners: FAO (€106M), UNRWA (€ 39.6M) and UNICEF (€8.2M).
Similar contribution agreements with the World Food Programme (€38.7M),
and UNOPS (€ 10M) are expected to be finalised shortly, to be followed by
agreements with the World Bank, IFAD and UNDP.

These agreements are financed under the € 1 billion Food Facility,
which will support actions implemented by International Organisations, recipient
governments and regional organisations. Also under this facility a €200
million call for proposals will be launched on the 26th May 2009, to
finance projects to be implemented by NGOs, EU member states development
agencies and local authorities active in 35 priority countries.

The signature of these agreements underlines the importance of the European
Union as the world's first donor in improving food security across the globe.
Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid
stressed that:

“At a time when the combined effects of the financial and food crises
negatively impact developing countries, it is crucial for the EU to match its
words with concrete action: that is exactly what the European Commission is
doing today. The projects to be funded will impact positively on the lives of
millions of the poorest people in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle
East. The agreements to be signed today show that the EC and partner countries
alike, are acting in a coordinated and swift manner in order to deliver on their
prior aid commitments.

These agreements are a testimony to our fruitful partnership with the UN and
WB, which was re-enforced in the reaction to the global food crisis."

“Our food facility arrives in a crucial moment. By increasing
agricultural production, and supporting social measures to protect the most
vulnerable, the Food Facility will have a real and tangible impact on the most
vulnerable populations in the world, and help ensure access to food for all,
particularly in these times of crisis.”

The five UN agencies with which the Commission is to sign implementing
agreements of the Food Facility are recognised for their sectoral and
area-specific expertise in the field of food security. They have consulted local
governments, NGOs and stakeholders during the identification of projects in
order to ensure true ownership.

Concrete examples of projects financed within the framework of the agreements
signed today include:

access to agricultural inputs (FAO) : in Zimbabwe, seeds and fertilisers and
training are expected to be provided to 150.000 vulnerable rural households and
should result in increased cereal yield within the next agricultural season for
10 to 15% of communal farmers in the country;

measures designed to reduce acute malnutrition rates (UNICEF): in Mali, the
Food Facility will allow the distribution of appropriate treatment of 30.000
severely malnourished children and the training of two and a half million
mothers, caretakers and young children on best feeding practices.

Information on the signing ceremony:

The signing ceremony will take place at EuropeAid Co-operation Office (Rue de
la Loi 43, 1049 Brussels) on 15th May at 16:00 with the Director General of
EuropeAid Co-Operation Office, Mr Koos Richelle, the Assistant Director General
of FAO's Technical Cooperation department, Mr José M. Sumpsi, the Head of
UNRWA's representation in Bruxelles, Mr Matthias Burchard, the Director of
UNICEF's delegation to the EU, Mr Philippe Cori and the Donor relations officer
of WFP, Mr Denis Vidal. Interested media are invited to contact Charlotta
Asplund, charlotta.asplund@ec.europa.eu,
+32 229 85 480.

The overall plan for the implementation of the Food Facility contains a list
of 50 target countries which will receive assistance during a three year period.
Support will be provided through International Organisations, Regional
Organisations and national governments as well as a Call for Proposals for
activities by Non-States Actors, Member States bodies and other eligible
implementing actors.